Eco-Friendly Toys

Green is the new buzz-word in the toy industry this season as parents demand safer, healthier, eco-friendly toys. Recent toy-safety scares, combined with the surge in interest for more environmentally friendly products, have toy-makers finding new ways (and rediscovering old ways) of making toys that are safe and fun for children and for the environment. Ecologically-minded toy-makers, such as Green Toys, Earthentree, and Childtrek are finding ways to provide children with fun, entertaining and educational toys that are safe and that have a low impact on the environment. Natural, non-toxic, and recycled materials are used to make toys which range from hand-crafted wooden games to battery-free cars whose lights and sounds are kid-powered.

Popular materials for eco-friendly toys include non-threatened or plantation-grown hardwood, recycled plastic, and natural fibers, such as organic cotton and wool. Instead of traditional acrylic or oil-based paints, some toy-makers are exploring natural alternatives, such as soy-based inks and vegetable dyes, which are much safer for both children and for the environment. Some wooden toys are being left in their natural state or given a beeswax finish, and some fabrics used to make plush toys are being left unbleached to reduce the amount of chemicals used in the toy-making process.

Toy-makers are also becoming more transparent about where their products are being designed and made. Consumers are becoming increasingly aware of the costs of shipping products across long distances—both monetarily and ecologically—and there are some niche stores, like MapleLandmark that make special efforts to keep their operations local.

Eco-friendly toys are becoming easier to find, too. Niche stores are finding an audience online, but even the large chain stores, like Toys-R-Us are offering green selections this year.